Well I just received an email back from FWC with the good news that there is NO limit on these traps or nets, below is a copy of my correspondence with FWC and also the pictures I attached to avoid any confusion,

NOTE: This does not apply to the Commercial style traps/pots that you soak for an extended time unattended the limit for this IS 5 traps...

I have removed last names from the email for obvious reasons lol. Enjoy.. Dutch..

Create Date: 7/1/2017 8:09:38 PM

Reference # W062694

Customer: Randall

Category: Fishing, Saltwater Fish & Marine Organisms

Description: Hello Sir/Mam, I am looking for regulations on the recreational hoop Style Drop nets and box traps (Not commercial crab pots) for recreational purposes. How many ring style Drop Nets is a person permitted to use at a time for blue crab, (picture attached) And the same question for the recreational style box trap? (Picture attached) Thank you for your time.

That is interesting but it does make sense since it really is not a "trap" at all!Thank you for the intel!

My pleasure Mr. Shellfish

I agree for the most part, the hoop is a net, the topless is more of a trap but must be tended to be one,

This I do know- The way that the Regs are presented on FWC's website concerning legal gear are confusing if nothing else.

I also know that when speaking with government you better speak in their language otherwise problems will ensue. Hence my reason for using the terms 'drop net' and 'box trap', this way if any confusion does arise while in the field I can easily pull up this email and have confidence I am speaking in the same language they are.

Why they would word their gear requirements the way they did makes no sense to me and this is the reason I made contact with them, here is how they present it on their website and a quick read would surely make you think that five is the limit. but with a little closer scrutiny you begin to realize they are only talking about crab pots being the limit of 5. here's a copy and paste of their gear requirements confusing if anything else -

Gear Requirements:

Legal Gear: blue crab trap (max. 5 per person), dip or landing net, drop net, fold up trap with a volume of no more than one cubic foot, hook and line, push scrape, trotline